A theft of copper wire damaged a refrigeration unit up on the rooftop of the Kent Senior Activity Center, caused a temporary shutdown of the Deli & Cafe lunch program and threatened the city’s annual Thanksgiving dinner for the community.
But despite the lack of a commercial kitchen refrigerator, the city of Kent’s Senior Center staff and a neighboring assisted living facility stepped up to keep lunch options going and saved the Nov. 15 Thanksgiving meal.
“While addressing these setbacks, we are inspired by the resilience and dedication of our team and community,” said City Parks Director Julie Parascondola in a Monday, Nov. 18 email. “Challenges like these reinforce our commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for our seniors. Together, we will rise above these hurdles, ensuring the Senior Center remains a place of connection, care and comfort.”
The city’s meal service contractor discovered the morning of Monday, Nov. 11 that the commercial kitchen refrigerator no longer worked at the Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St.
At some point between 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 and 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, vandals stole copper wire from a rooftop refrigeration condenser and a heat pump, Parascondola said.
“Currently, there are no leads or suspects identified in connection with this incident,” Parascondola said. “Parks Department staff are actively working with the Kent Police Department and taking steps to secure the building against future occurrences the best we can.”
Thieves take copper wire and sell it to scrap metal companies, according to a report last year by Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla.
“This act caused significant damage to both units, impacting the center’s ability to operate its commercial kitchen refrigerator and the HVAC system servicing the east end of the building, including the kitchen,” Parascondola said. “No further damage to the interior or other parts of the Senior Center was reported.”
That meant no hot lunches to purchase at the Senior Center, a daily routine for some senior residents. City Parks staff offered sandwich options and the neighboring Hillside Assisted Living opened its doors for senior guests to purchase hot meals in its dining room until the kitchen is fixed.
City staff rallied to keep the annual Senior Center Thanksgiving Luncheon on schedule for the 160 guests who signed up.
“Kent Parks staff have gone above and beyond to address the challenges posed by this incident,” Parascondola said. “Using backup cooling equipment and scheduling an emergency food delivery for Thursday, Nov. 14, Senior Center staff, alongside its meal service contractor and city Facilities staff, ensured that the 160 ticketed guests enjoyed their traditional hot turkey meal they look forward to every year.”
Costly repairs
It’s expected to cost the city between $12,000 and $15,000 for parts and labor, Parascondola said.
Replacement parts, including a new heat pump sourced from Tacoma and a condensing unit ordered from California, are expected to arrive by the end of this week.
“Coordination with a crane operator is required to install the equipment on the roof, and the repairs are anticipated to be completed by later this week,” Parascondola said.
That means the Deli & Cafe will be back in business.
“Full-service hot meals at the Senior Center are expected to resume next week,” Parascondola said.
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